Federal, state and metropolis transportation regulators signed off on the MTA’s new congestion pricing program for Manhattan Friday, clearing the ultimate roadblocks forward of an anticipated Jan. 5 begin to tolling.
After pausing the plan, Gov. Hochul has revived the plan with a proposed beginning toll of $9-a-day for motorists touring south of sixtieth Road in Manhattan.
Successful quick approval from the feds was key as President-elect Donald Trump has stated he would kill the controversial plan.
“We are pleased to have received formal approval from the Federal Highway Administration for the phase-in feature of the Central Business District Tolling Program,” Cathy Sheridan, head of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, stated in an announcement, utilizing the formal title for the congestion pricing program.
All three transportation departments signed off Friday on the so-called “value pricing pilot program” settlement, which authorizes the MTA to make use of the tolls collected on federally-funded roads — a number of of which exist contained in the congestion zone — to fund one thing aside from highway upkeep.
The Federal Freeway Administration, part of the federal DOT, additionally issued a re-evaluation of the modified congestion pricing plan — which phases in the next toll over the course of a number of years — and located that the plan continues to be inside the bounds of the environmental evaluation the feds green-lit final yr.
The 2 excellent sign-offs had been the final procedural necessities that wanted to be cleared if the MTA is to start tolling motorists on Jan. 5 as deliberate.
Earlier this week, the MTA’s board voted 12 to 1 to approve Hochul’s modified congestion pricing plan, successfully reviving the controversial toll deigned to fund system enhancements.
“This is a hopeful moment,” MTA chairman Janno Lieber stated forward of Monday’s vote. “It shows that New Yorkers — we collectively — can take on and address big challenges that we’re facing.”
The plan will begin with a 40% low cost over the plan accepted by the MTA’s board in March. That preliminary plan would have charged motorists a $15 base toll to drive into Midtown or decrease Manhattan — the income from which was to again $15 billion in bonds for the MTA’s capital.
Hochul’s new plan will begin the tolls 40% decrease for 3 years — $9 a day for many motorists — earlier than ramping as much as a full $15 toll in 2031. State officers plan to start out tolling on Jan. 5, 2025.
Lieber heralded the modified toll as a victory — a coverage that may not solely fund a number of of his company’s big-ticket tasks, but in addition one that may enhance air high quality and road security within the metropolis.
This can be a creating story. Test again for updates.
Initially Revealed: November 22, 2024 at 12:15 PM EST
